I have a son with Tourette Syndrome and since infancy, we have always seen a correlation between his teeth and his overall health, but especially related to his Tourette tics.

When he has a tooth coming out or in, his tics skyrocket!

I recently had a thread running on the TS Forum here about my son having tic increase again related to a wisdom tooth
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=2681

We have heard from others that this is a common reaction in people with TS and I found this chart on an informative holistic dentistry site to be very interesting
http://www.drwolfe.com/html/Teeth-chart.html

My son has had an eye blinking tic for the past two years that I thought was allergy related. He never had any problems with his teeth until six months ago. During his last dental appointment, his dentist found 5 cavities (we go every 6 months). I was floored because we limit sugar and are diligent about brushing/flossing. The only difference was starting kindergarten and occasionally eating school lunch.

Immediately within minutes of his first appointment to fill his cavities, he started jerking his head backward and mouth stretching along with the eye blinking. I assumed it was due to the jaw clamp they used to hold open his mouth or because his back molars were coming in and causing pain.

I have taken him to my chiropractor because he says his neck hurts, but have had no results. I am now thinking I have been in denial and that these tics are related and could be more than just allergies/neck pain. I am feeling overwhelmed and saddened that this may be a chronic condition - it is getting worse and the tics are occurring more frequently and now in combination with each other.

I just ordered the book from latitudes and am hoping to find some natural remedies. I have an ENT appointment for him on Wednesday, to rule out ear pain causing pressure and creating the tics as he has had trouble with his hearing lately.

He has had full allergy testing due to and episode last year of head to toe hives, mouth and nose swelling and trouble breathing. No allergies showed up, but he has always been sensitive to dairy.

Any other advice would be much appreciated. I order tic tamer and will try a magnesium supplement after I talk to his doctor. I have a history of fibromyalgia, but no one in our family has had history of tics.

Thank you,
Michelle

Hi Michelle

I know that some people tic a lot more with dental work if they have problems with the TMJ (trans mandibular joint) so you may want to discuss this with the dentist as well.

My son does not have TMJ but as mentioned before, dental work has always been a big tic trigger for him....and I have heard similar from many other parents.

Dear Michelle,
Sometimes an "irritation" such as the dental work, or even a bump to a finger or a bit of dust in the eye or even a cold in the nose can cause an exacerbation of tics in those particular areas, if one has a tic disorder.

I can understand your feeling overwhelmed and saddened that your son may perhaps have a chronic tic disorder. Just remember not to show your son that you're feeling overwhelmed and sad as difficult as that may be.

He'll be OK! It's important to remember that and to not visibly focus too much on any tics he has or may develop.

My son with TS/tics but also on Autism spectrum (now adult) had experienced a lot of problems with his teeth, mostly grinding in his sleep when young. My daughter with mild tics hasn't ever experienced problems with her teeth in this regard. A number of my adult friends I have made over the years in the TS worldwide community have experienced problems with their jaws/teeth from clenching. Anxiety/OCD related for them.

I don't know what other tics your little son has, but sometimes tics in the neck area can cause pain or headaches. My daughter used to often twist her ankle for example, which would then trigger tics in her foot.

Does your son have any vocal tics?
Simple vocal tics include things like throat clearing, coughing, humming, laughing, sniffing and others.

There are a number of tic disorders.

Has your son been seen by a Neurologist for evaluation at all?

Tourette's Syndrome or Chronic Tic Disorder are the type of conditions that are typically diagnosed by ruling out other medical conditions and listening to history, so it may be helpful to keep a private log of what's been going on for your son.

What you actually describe after the dental visit sounds more to me as if it's an irritation which has triggered a tic in that area. I only suggest that because you say he's had another tic for over 2 years.

Please also visit our TS Forum here as well. Tourette Syndrome Forum

Remember you're not alone. Lots of us been in your situation and have lots of support to give you if needed. Most importantly though is to make sure your son isn't scared somehow by what's going on with his tics. He needs to know that he will be OK. All the best to you Michelle.